FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 6, 2012
STATEMENT OF EDWARD CARDINAL EGAN ON CARDINAL-DESIGNATE DOLAN EDWARD CARDINAL EGAN, ARCHBISHOP EMERITUS, SENT THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT YESTERDAY AFTERNOON FROM ROME.
This afternoon Cardinal-designate Timothy M. Dolan telephoned me here in Rome where I will tomorrow be representing him and the Archdiocese of New York at the Episcopal consecration of a New York priest, Monsignor Charles Brown, by his Holiness Pope Benedict XVI in Saint Peter’s Basilica. Cardinal-designate Dolan called to share with me the splendid news that he is to be elevated to the cardinalate in a consistory on February 17, 2012. I extended to him my heartfelt congratulations and assured him of my prayers. In addition, I enthusiastically accepted his invitation that I join the clergy, religious, and faithful of the Archdiocese for the consistory here in the Eternal City. This is wonderful news for the Cardinal-designate and for the entire community of faith that he serves so well.
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STATEMENT OF EDWARD CARDINAL EGAN ON CARDINAL-DESIGNATE O’BRIEN
EDWARD CARDINAL EGAN, ARCHBISHOP EMERITUS, SENT THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT TODAY FROM ROME.
The announcement that His Excellency, the Most Reverend Edwin F. O’Brien, is to be elevated to the cardinalate is reason for all of the clergy, religious and laity of the Archdiocese of New York to rejoice. Cardinal-designate O’Brien was ordained a priest for the archdiocese, served as secretary to Terence Cardinal Cooke, and was twice rector of our archdiocesan seminary, Saint Joseph’s in Dunwoodie, in addition, he has been rector of the Pontifical North American College in Vatican City and Archbishop of Baltimore, and is now the Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher.
In his rectorships both in New York and in Vatican City, I had the pleasure of working with Cardinal-designate O’Brien and admiring his commitment to the church and his wisdom in guiding young men in their preparation for the priesthood.
It was an honor to be in Rome representing the Archdiocese of New York at the Episcopal Consecration of another New York priest, Archbishop Charles Brown, when the Holy Father announced the elevation of both Archbishop Dolan and Archbishop O’Brien. I have personally assured Cardinal-designate O’Brien of my heartfelt congratulations as I did Cardinal-designate Dolan by telephone. Both of them have a special place in my prayers, I look forward to being of assistance to them in any way that I can in the crucially important work that lies ahead for both.
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